Empire of Light: Shoal, Book 3

In the third Shoal book, the nova war has begun to spread as the Emissaries force the Shoal into a desperate retreat. While Dakota goes in search of the entity responsible for creating the Maker caches, Corso, left in charge of a fleet of Magi ships, finds his authority crumbling in the face of politically-motivated sabotage.

The Thousand Emperors

Archivist Luc Gabion has finally achieved his life's goal - of bringing down Winchell Antonov, head of the Black Lotus terrorist organisation, and the scourge of the Tian Di's stellar empire for countless years. But instead of feeling victorious, the encounter has left him scarred. Forcibly implanted with a technology far in advance of anything he's encountered before, Luc sees and hears things he knows he's not supposed to. Worse, the technology is killing him, slowly.

Pushing Ice

2057. Humanity has raised exploiting the solar system to an art form. Bella Lind and the crew of her nuclear-powered ship, the Rockhopper, push ice. They mine comets. And they're good at it. The Rockhopper is nearing the end of its current mission cycle, and everyone is desperate for some much-needed R & R, when startling news arrives from Saturn: Janus, one of Saturn's ice moons, has inexplicably left its natural orbit and is now heading out of the solar system at high speed.

Revenger

The galaxy has seen great empires rise and fall. Planets have shattered and been remade. Amongst the ruins of alien civilisations, building our own from the rubble, humanity still thrives. And there are vast fortunes to be made, if you know where to find them.... Captain Rackamore and his crew do.

Revelation Space

Nine hundred thousand years ago, something annihilated the Amarantin civilization just as it was on the verge of discovering space flight. Now one scientist, Dan Sylveste, will stop at nothing to solve the Amarantin riddle before ancient history repeats itself. With no other resources at his disposal, Sylveste forges a dangerous alliance with the cyborg crew of the starship Nostalgia for Infinity. But as he closes in on the secret, a killer closes in on him because the Amarantin were destroyed for a reason.

Terminal World

Spearpoint, the last human city, is an atmosphere-piercing spire of vast size. Clinging to its skin are the zones, a series of semi-autonomous city-states, each of which enjoys a different---and rigidly enforced---level of technology. Following an infiltration mission that went tragically wrong, Quillon has been living incognito, working as a pathologist in the district morgue.

The Abyss Beyond Dreams

When images of a lost civilization are 'dreamed' by a self-proclaimed prophet of the age, Nigel Sheldon, inventor of wormhole technology and creator of the Commonwealth society, is asked to investigate. Especially as the dreams seem to be coming from the Void - a mysterious area of living space monitored and controlled because of its hugely destructive capabilities.

Extinction Game

When your life is based on lies, how do you hunt down the truth? Jerry Beche should be dead. Instead he's rescued from a desolate Earth where he's the last man alive. He's then trained for the toughest conditions imaginable and placed with a crack team of specialists on an isolated island. Every one of them is a survivor, as each withstood the violent ending of their own alternate Earth. And their new specialism? To retrieve weapons and data in missions to other apocalyptic versions of our world.

Fallen Dragon

Lawrence Newton always dreamed of adventure amongst the stars. Now the ultimate prize is within his grasp, but what will he risk to get it? Lawrence is the sergeant of a washed-out platoon taking part in the bungled invasion of yet another human colony world. The giant corporations call such campaigns 'asset realization', but in practice it's simple piracy. When he's on the ground, being shot at and firebombed by resistance forces, he recalls stories of the Temple of the Fallen Dragon. Its priests supposedly guard a treasure hoard large enough to buy lifelong happiness.

Mindstar Rising: The Greg Mandel Trilogy, Book 1

It's the 21st century, and global warming is here to stay, so forget the way your country used to look. And get used to the free market, too - the companies possess all the best hardware, and they're calling the shots now. In a world like this, a man open to any offers can make out just fine. A man like Greg Mandel for instance, who's psi-boosted, wired into the latest sensory equipment, carrying state-of-the-art weaponry - and late of the English Army's Mindstar Battalion.

The Medusa Chronicles

Following an accident that almost cost him his life, Howard Falcon was not so much saved as he was converted, through the use of prosthetics, into something faster, stronger and smarter...but also slightly less human and more machine than he was. And with this change came an opportunity - that of piloting a mission into Jupiter's atmosphere and ultimately of making first contact with the life forms he discovers there.

Pandora's Star

Britain's bestselling SF writer returns to outer space.In AD 2329, humanity has colonised over four hundred planets, all of them interlinked by wormholes. With Earth at its centre, the Intersolar Commonwealth now occupies a sphere of space approximately four hundred light years across. When an astronomer on the outermost world of Gralmond, observes a star 2000 light years distant - and then a neighbouring one - vanish, it is time for the Commonwealth to discover what happened to them.

The Peripheral

The Peripheral by William Gibson is a thrilling new novel about two intertwined futures, from the bestselling author of Neuromancer. Flynne Fisher lives down a country road, in a rural near-future America where jobs are scarce, unless you count illegal drug manufacture, which she's keen to avoid. Her brother Burton lives, or tries to, on money from the Veterans Association, in compensation for neurological damage suffered in a Marines elite unit.

House of Suns

Six million years ago, at the very dawn of the starfaring era, Abigail Gentian fractured herself into a thousand male and female clones: the shatterlings. Sent out into the galaxy, these shatterlings have stood aloof as they document the rise and fall of countless human empires. They meet every 200,000 years to exchange news and memories of their travels with their siblings.

The Reality Dysfunction

The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton is the first in Night's Dawn, a sweeping galactic trilogy from the master of space opera. In AD 2600 the human race is finally realizing its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets across the galaxy host a multitude of wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary space-born creatures.

Xeelee: Vengeance

Half a million years in the future, on a dead, war-ravaged world at the centre of the galaxy, there is a mile-high statue of Michael Poole. Poole, born on Earth in the fourth millennium, was one of mankind's most influential heroes. He was not a warrior, not an emperor. He was an engineer, a builder of wormhole transit systems. But Poole's work would ultimately lead to a vast and destructive conflict, a million-year war between humanity and the enigmatic, powerful aliens known as the Xeelee. The Xeelee won.

The Dreaming Void

AD 3580. The Intersolar Commonwealth has spread through the galaxy to over a thousand star systems. It is a culture of rich diversity with a place for everyone. Even death itself has been overcome. But at the centre of the Commonwealth is a massive black hole. This Void is not a natural artefact. Inside there is a strange universe where the laws of physics are very different to those we know. It is slowly consuming the other stars of the galactic core - one day it will devour the entire galaxy.

Misspent Youth

Jeff Baker is granted the gift of eternal youth. However, it's not all it seems.... It is 2040, and after decades of research we can finally rejuvenate a human being. At 78 years old, Jeff Baker - renowned inventor and philanthropist - has given the world much of his creative genius. He's therefore selected as first choice for this gift. At first rejuvenation feels like a miracle, until the glow begins to fade. Personal relationships start to break down, and the world waits for more brilliant new work. Living the dream will come at a cost, but can Jeff pay the price?

Great North Road

Great North Road is a standalone science fiction adventure from Peter F. Hamilton, the author of The Night's Dawn trilogy. When attending a Newcastle murder scene, Detective Sidney Hurst finds a dead North family clone. Yet none has been reported missing. And in 2122, 20 years ago, a North clone billionaire was horrifically murdered in the same manner on the tropical planet of St Libra. So if the murderer is still at large, was Angela Tramelo wrongly convicted?

Children of Time

Adrian Tchaikovksy's critically acclaimed stand-alone novel Children of Time is the epic story of humanity's battle for survival on a terraformed planet. Who will inherit this new Earth? The last remnants of the human race left a dying Earth, desperate to find a new home among the stars. Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, they discover the greatest treasure of the past age - a world terraformed and prepared for human life. But all is not right in this new Eden.

Ark Royal

Seventy years ago, the interstellar supercarrier Ark Royal was the pride of the Royal Navy. But now, her weapons are outdated and her solid-state armour nothing more than a burden on her colossal hull. She floats in permanent orbit near Earth, a dumping ground for the officers and crew the Royal Navy wishes to keep out of the public eye. But when a deadly alien threat appears, the modern starships built by humanity are no match for the powerful alien weapons.

Feersum Endjinn

Count Sessine is about to die for the very last time.... Chief Scientist Gadfium is about to receive the mysterious message she has been waiting for from the Plain of Sliding Stones.... And Bascule the Teller, in search of an ant, is about to enter the chaos of the crypt.... And everything is about to change.... For this is the time of the encroachment and, although the dimming sun still shines on the vast, towering walls of Serehfa Fastness, the end is close at hand.

Consider Phlebas: Culture Series, Book 1

The war raged across the galaxy. Billions had died, billions more were doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, faced destruction - cold-blooded, brutal, and worse, random. The Idirans fought for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles were at stake. There could be no surrender. Within the cosmic conflict, an individual crusade....

Transition

A world that hangs suspended between triumph and catastrophe, between the dismantling of the Wall and the fall of the Twin Towers, frozen in the shadow of suicide terrorism and global financial collapse, such a world requires a firm hand and a guiding light. But does it need the Concern: an all-powerful organisation with a malevolent presiding genius, pervasive influence and numberless invisible operatives in possession of extraordinary powers?

Publisher's Summary

In the 25th century, only the Shoal possess the secret of faster-than-light travel (FTL), giving them absolute control over all trade and exploration throughout the galaxy. Mankind has operated within their influence for two centuries, establishing a dozen human colony worlds scattered along Shoal trade routes.

Dakota Merrick, while serving as a military pilot, has witnessed atrocities for which this alien race is responsible. Now piloting a civilian cargo ship, she is currently ferrying an exploration team to a star system containing a derelict star ship. From its wreckage, her passengers hope to salvage a functioning FTL drive of mysteriously non-Shoal origin. But the Shoal are not yet ready to relinquish their monopoly over a technology they acquired through ancient genocide.

As a huge fan of Peter Hamilton and Alastair Reynolds I am always on the search for quality "reads" - I think that Gibson has really got something in these novels.

When I first started I found references that would have been very at home in a Niven Universe (not a bad thing in itself). However, as the story progressed it was obvious that this is anything but the formulaic space opera based on other work.

The main plot is both grand and intricate, the background that is created feels unique and central characters are very good and well rounded. I did find some of the "baddies" a little one dimensional in that they seemed bad / stupid to the bone which I never like. However, that is actually a minor point. This is an excellent story well written, exciting and captivating.

Performance was good and very easy to listen too which is very important in a story is to flow nicely.

I was absolutely sucked into the characters and universe of this novel. The hours flew by and I was looking forward to every car journey for the 10 days the story lasted me. The narration I found very natural and the challenge of a reasonably large character list including voicing an alien's speech was professionally met. Seeing this narrator's name on an audio's details would always be a welcome sign for me now. The novel itself had a number of original ideas plus a few classic Sci Fi concepts and at times reminded me as much of Altered Carbon as The Mote in God's Eye without being at all derivative. I see that the next book is now available and I will without a doubt be treating myself to it next month. I wholeheartedly recommend this one, go on, give it a go!

This was a wonderful 15 hours of pure audiobook escapism, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There's plenty of action, and the twists and turns in the plot keep the characters on their toes. The writing is fairly straight forward but Charlie Norfolk narrates it wonderfully and got me totally hooked so I'll definitely be carrying on with the trilogy. Great stuff!

This is the first time i have listened to a female narrator, her voice for the main character is great however i wasn't so sure about her other voices. Though after the first hour I was immersed in the story and started enjoying the narration style. Now I can't imagine anyone else narrating. Stealing Light is a rip-roaring good space opera and thouroghly enjoyable. I was going on longer walks and couldn't wait to do some ironing just to continue listening! I am so pleased to have the second installment of the series to listen to whilst doing all the Christmas baking!

My daily read is while commuting in the car, so through experience worked out that this needs something 1) long (2 hours each way) 2) Not too complex as you can't concentrate while driving 3) Engaging enough to survive the first two requirements.

On that front the fits the bill perfectly. It's space opera scifi, a little simplistic and not altogether rooted in true hard science, but it's fun and undemanding, with an interesting core character (Dakota). Is it top class scifi, a la Reynolds or the old masters? No, it isn't. But it's perfect for a little trashy escapism, and it's plus points counter the flaws. I have the other two books already to brighten up the dark winter drives

Beautifully performed with characters very clearly realised, this is well written with some stand out concepts that are well worth the read just for those.

It is well paced with a plot that moves along quite nicely and strong characterisation helped by an excellent reading. For me, the plot was a little less polished than the writing or the characterisation but is is streets ahead of so much that I have read.

It is always invidious to compare authors but I couldn't help thinking of Iain M Banks when I listened to this story. It is similar in that it is high tech, high concept SF with a widely spaced and varied humanity scattered over star systems. However, Gibson has a voice of his own.

Smart tough female lead character. Fairly hard sci-fi. I always wonder, with the great success of Jack McDevitt's character Chase Kolpath and Weber's Honor Harrington, why there aren't more tough female leads in sci-fi. Look at what Neal Stephenson has been able to do at times. I'm also a sucker for great narration. I haven't heard Charlie Norfolk narrate before -- but what a great talent. This starts in three plots that come together....and when they do it is a real fast ride.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Jeff

albia, IA, United States

29/05/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"slow..............................."

the books sounds ok . it looks ok but iv tried 3 time i have never gotten past part one. it never got my attention and i just gave up on it . not worth my credit

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Douglas E. Noll

04/10/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Very Entertaining-Will buy the rest of the series"

This one starts a little slow, but hang in there. Ms. Norfolk's accent takes about 15 minutes to get used to, then she is an easy listen. The story is first rate hard science fiction with very good characterization and an amazingly interesting and complex plot line. All kinds of fun Perils of Pauline moments, which you know will generally turn out well, but not quite the way you expected. I am going to take a break and listen to Weber's latest turgidity in the Safehold series. I am sure he will drive me back to the Gibson/Norfolk team for clean, clear, directed characters, plots, and interesting speculative science and history.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

C. L. Turner

Provo, Utah, United States

14/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fun, entertaining, something borrowed."

This is a good story that has definitely borrowed from classics like Ringworld. Definitely worth a listen and very enjoyable. It has some good originality, so don't worry, it's not a re-hash of old material.

There is a down side. The narrator, while quite good! Gets a bit confused with names every once in a while and mixes one character with another. This is a problem...but does not cause too many problems in the end if you're paying attention.

Now the fun part, accents, characters, language and personalities. This novel builds on more to come (a lot more), so stay tuned!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Richard

FOXBORO, MA, United States

24/05/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not sure at first, but well worth it."

Wasn't sure what I was getting into when I first got this book, but I soon found out it was well worth the purchase. First and foremost this book has a very good plot. But along with that the story is very well written and grabs your attention.

The reader does a good but not great job telling the story.

The story really heats up at about the mid point until the end. By the end of this I knew I would be getting the next book in the series.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

William

Winter Park, FL, United States

11/03/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Fun!"

Stealing Light by Gary Gibson is the first book in The Shoal series. This book is my kind of book. I consumed it eagerly via Audible. Yes, it has it's faults as many other reviewers have noted, but due to the excellent reader (Charlie Norfolk), the book came alive and the faults fall quickly to the background.

It was fun and full of action. It is like an Alastair Reynolds Revelation Space, Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict and Kristine Kathryn Rusch's Diving Universe book combined!

Highly recommended as an Audiobook listen!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Kindle Customer

Europe

25/02/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Performer does terrible voices"

This is awful reading she does voices like a grandmother reading to her children it's able to ruin the book it's a Damn shame.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

crazybatcow

East Coast, Canada

14/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Just not good or distinct enough to compete"

It's a moderately hard sci-fi... not much time is spent developing relationships or on character development. In fact, so little time is spent on characterization that it is very difficult to tell most of the main male characters apart. (There is only one female character so nobody to get her mixed up with, but she isn't even very different from the males...)

There are some alien life-forms, but they aren't really explored very much, other than brief interjections when they are the stimulant to cause the humans to do something... when their interventions are needed to motivate a character, they appear, then they conveniently drop out of the story until next time they are needed.

I didn't like the story very much, nor the characters, and even the sci-fi part of it wasn't very engaging or original. And some parts seemed choppy, almost like the book was abridged - occasionally the transitions were sudden and unexpected. I won't be reading any more in this series, and it is unlikely I'd read more by this author... his writing just isn't distinct enough to choose over all the other books out there.

The narration is okay. It is non-graphic and I don't think there is any swearing.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Connor

North Carolina

18/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Long Time Getting to the Point"

This is the story of a tough, independent woman making her living in the 25th Century as a space ship pilot. She may have broken a few laws and now must accept questionable jobs from shady people. The 25th Century technology is excellent and the last third of the book is riveting. My complaint was the other 70% of the book. My mind kept wandering and I could not decide if it was me or the book.

Overall, the book's beginning and middle are slow and somewhat confusing while the ending is a fun listen.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Jeff Tipling

17/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Does not track"

What disappointed you about Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1?

the multiple time jumps and non consistent time indexes.

What could Gary Gibson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Used a standard calander.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Charlie Norfolk?

Was not Narrator problem

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1?

Would not cut but would fix timing for listening audience.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

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